by Amy Boyles
“Think again,” Axel said.
Then, all heck-fire broke loose. Streams of magic shot through the air. They hit Blake squarely in the chest. He growled and yelled, flexing his chest out as if he was Superman.
Seeing the stone hadn’t been touched, I raced toward it and snatched the rock from the ground.
Blake broke his hold on the magic and turned to me, fuming. “That is mine!”
He rushed at me. I moved to dodge, but he was too fast. The vampire caught me by the wrist and lifted me into the air. “I will take that.”
“Think again,” Roan said. He stood on the stage, and behind him hovered every ghost I knew from the graveyard—even Granny Mildred. “Do y’all think you can keep this vampire busy for a while?”
Francine smoothed her hair. “We can certainly try.”
The next thing I knew, all the ghosts converged on Blake and started dragging him away. “What’s going on?” he yelled. “What’s got ahold of me?”
Blake the vampire could not see ghosts. That was a win.
Roan called out, “Oh, only about half a dozen ghosts have you. Have fun with them!”
Francine grinned as Captain Blount bowed. “Sir, we will do our duty.”
Then they all gathered around Blake, and in half a second, the lot of them disappeared.
I smiled at Roan. “I would hug you, but I’m holding this heart stone. I don’t want to turn you into gold.”
Betty appeared at Roan’s side in a puff of magic. From behind us, I heard Gary gasp.
Betty plucked the stone from my palm. She placed it under a glass dome. “We can now free Gary’s victims from their golden tombs.”
Pepper and Axel took her hands. They chanted a few words before Betty opened her eyes. “There. The spells should be broken. Everyone who was gold should now be as they were.”
I sighed, relieved, and fell into Roan’s arms. “Thank goodness.”
Betty then whispered and the dome, along with the chunk of heart, disappeared. “Blake won’t be finding that anytime soon.”
“Where did you put it?” Pepper asked.
A glint of amusement filled Betty’s eyes. “Someplace not quite on this earth. With the heart stone out of this plane, we don’t have to worry about Blake getting ahold of it.”
“I’m so glad that’s over,” I said.
“Me too,” Pepper admitted.
“What about me?” Gary said.
Tam still held him tightly, though Gary struggled. Betty strolled over. “You have wreaked a lot of damage, but luckily it should all be fixed now.”
“I’m sorry,” Gary whimpered.
“That’s not good enough,” Betty snarled. She pressed her thumb to his forehead. “If you ever see another magical object in your life, you are to pass it by. You aren’t equipped to be responsible with magic. You used the gold touch for your own benefit, and you hurt others in the process. Whether or not that was intentional, I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter. You are now blind to all magic. You will not see it; you will not feel it.”
I glanced at Tam. “I think you can let him go now.”
She frowned. “Fine. But will all of you get out? I’m trying to sing.”
I shooed everyone toward the door. “The spirit would like us gone.” Then I turned and winked at her. “How about one good scare for Gary, just so we’re clear that he’s learned his lesson.”
With that, Tam’s body sharpened. She dropped her arms from Gary, spun him around and yelled, “Boo!”
Gary threw up his hands and, screaming, ran from the theater. He moved so quickly that I was surprised a trail of smoke didn’t shoot out from his feet.
Roan wrapped an arm around me. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”
When we got outside, Alice held a golden trophy of an ATV up for my approval. “Look, Blissful, I won the race! They gave me this.”
I laughed. “You did good, Alice. You did good.”
I glanced over at the park and saw that people were surrounding the spot where the statue of Gigi had stood. I noticed a pair of red glasses and smiled as Gigi moved her hands, obviously talking to the reporters.
I tipped my chin up to Roan. “Looks like we did good.”
He wrapped an arm around me. “I couldn't agree with you more. But come on, I’m starving. Let’s go back to the inn, and I’ll whip up some lunch.”
I rested my head on his arm. “Sounds like a perfect way to finish off the afternoon, but let’s head over to Cecil’s first, make sure he and Moira are back.”
Roan pulled me close. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go.”
Blissful
In the end, Gigi was returned to normal, and so were Cecil and Moira. I admit to feeling a sense of pride, not only for helping Pepper and her family, but also because we sent the demon that had been tormenting Cecil back to where it belonged.
“So,” Pepper asked as we devoured two roast chickens at Roan’s inn, “how long do you think the spirits will be able to keep Blake busy?”
Roan passed a bowl of mashed potatoes to Betty. “Busy or hostage?” he joked.
Pepper quirked a brow. “Both?”
With a spark of mischief in his eyes, Roan said, “Well, I asked them to keep him tied up for as long as they can.”
“Which in the spirit world,” I said, “could be a long time.”
Pepper laughed. “Hopefully it’ll be long enough for us find the rest of the heart and put it back together.”
Axel grunted. “For some reason I don’t think we’ll get that lucky. Blake will be out before we know it. He’s too strong a vampire for it to be otherwise.”
“I agree with that,” Betty said. “We’re not lucky enough to have him out of our hair permanently.”
“Well, if you need some spirit lifters, I’ll be glad to send as much of my shortbread as I can spare,” Alice said, patting the tin that rested on the table. “I love sending care packages.”
Pepper smiled sadly. “I’m afraid where we’re going, we don’t receive packages from the human world. I wish it wasn’t so, but that’s the way it is.”
I smiled. “I’d love to see Magnolia Cove someday, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t be allowed in since I’m not a witch.”
“Maybe we can make an exception,” Betty said. “You’ve helped us, so perhaps we can work something out.”
“I would like that,” I said, my heart radiating joy. “I would like that very much.”
We finished up lunch and went outside to say goodbye to our friends. Ruth and Alice hugged Betty while Roan and Axel shook hands in a very manly way.
I enveloped Pepper in a hug. Her hair smelled of peaches, and I inhaled the sweet scent. “If you need me,” I said, pulling away, “let me know. Roan and I will be there in a split second.”
“Thank you.” Her eyes narrowed as if she could sense impending trouble. “We will probably take you up on that offer. Before this is finished, I have the feeling that we’ll end up needing help from a lot more folks.”
I gave her another hug. “Call anytime, day or night.”
She nodded. “Will do.”
We finished our goodbyes and waved as they drove off. After they were out of sight, Ruth sidled up to me. “Well, Blissful. In the end that one worked out well.”
I sighed. “It did, but it got a little wonky at the end.”
“Oh, it was nothing a cup of coffee and good shortbread couldn’t sort out,” Alice said. “Plus, I got a trophy.”
I laughed. “You sure did.”
Ruth patted Alice’s shoulder. “Come on, you. I’m exhausted and could use a nap. Let’s get out of here.”
Alice nodded. “Okay, but it’s your turn to drive the ATV.”
Ruth jiggled the keys. “I’ve been waiting an entire day to hear you say that.”
Roan chuckled as they climbed into the ATV and drove off. He wrapped an arm over my shoulder and pulled me into a side hug. “I’m glad that’s over.”
I glanced up at h
im. His eyes darkened, and his brow wrinkled with worry. “Are you okay?”
He shook the expression off his face and smiled down at me. “I’m fine, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about you back there. Luckily I ran into Francine outside the theater. Before we went in, I told her to get her friends, that we might need their help.”
I coiled an arm around his waist and sank into him, inhaling the fabric softener on his shirt. “I was worried, too.”
“Impossible,” he joked. “Blissful Breneaux never worries.”
I scoffed. “Back at the house, when you were fighting the demon, I was worried for you, that something would happen. Roan, I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”
He glanced down at me, his lips curling into a smile. “Why, Blissful, are you admitting that the idea of forever might not be so bad?”
I rolled my eyes. “If I am, are you going to rub it in my face every day for the rest of my life?”
“Yes, I am,” he joked. Roan laughed and pulled me tighter. He pointed us back toward the inn, and we started walking. “But I tell you what, we don’t have to worry about forever right now. As long as we both agree that it’s not off the table, I’m good with that.”
A pang of disappointment filled me. “Oh, so we’re not talking about that now?”
He eyed me skeptically. “If I said I have a ring in my pocket and I’ve had it there for months, would that make you feel better?”
Hope surged through me, hitting me straight in the heart. “Yes,” I said shyly, “I think it would.”
Roan stopped. “Blissful Breneaux, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I stared at him. “I thought you said there was a ring.”
He laughed and pulled a box from his pocket. Roan opened it and presented a ring, a diamond flanked on either side by amethysts—purple for my hair, I guessed. “Forever?”
I smiled and nodded. “Forever.”
As Roan slid the ring over my finger, I lifted my lips to him and we kissed.
Pepper
When we reached the house, Amelia and Cordelia were still scanning the magical news, looking for stories that could lead us to the next piece of the heart.
Cordelia pushed her chair away from the table she was sitting at and stretched her arms overhead. “Everything went well, I take it.”
“We got one piece,” Betty said, “and I’ve got it stored someplace where Blake will never find it.”
“What about Blake?” Amelia said, rising. “What if he comes here looking for it?”
Axel shook his head. “He knows we’re not stupid enough to store the piece here. My guess is, as soon as he’s able, he’ll be searching for the next piece of the heart.”
I rubbed the tip of my nose. “Seems interesting that the sliver of heart we found ended up in a town that wasn’t quite magical but held people with supernatural abilities.”
Axel grunted. “That could be a trend.” He glanced at Cordelia and Amelia. “Make sure you’re looking into magical or almost-magical towns carefully. The heart could be drawn toward them.”
“Will do,” Amelia said. “Oh, and from what I hear, your house is fixed. The roof has been patched and the walls repaired.”
My heart cracked at the thought of the beautiful house Axel had bought us, partially destroyed. “How does it look?”
Amelia shot Cordelia a worried glance. “It’s whole but the effects of us being without the heart have taken their toll,” Amelia said. “It’s sagging and withering like the others.”
I clapped my hands. “Well then, we need to keep searching, keep looking for more pieces.”
Amelia sank back onto her chair and started scanning magical news articles. “There’s no rest for the weary.”
“Unfortunately not.” Betty crossed to the hearth and clapped her hands. A fire flamed to life, but there was nothing remotely special about it. She threw in a handful of dried herbs and brushed the crumbs from her palms. “This is a marathon, not a sprint, kids. We’ve got work to do.”
Axel strode forward. “I’ll alert my family. My father will let the werewolves know. If they hear of anything, we’ll be informed.”
“Good.” Betty rubbed her chin. “Without the heart we are unprotected. The shields we used to have were partially fueled by the heart’s power. Magnolia Cove is naked to any supernatural attacks now. We must be vigilant, and keep our eyes and ears peeled.”
“We will,” I said. “In the meantime I’d like to get some rest and take a look at my new house, see how it’s been fixed.”
Axel and I said our goodbyes, and we headed home. As we stepped onto the street, I sighed, suddenly sad as I looked around at the houses with shingles hanging from their roofs.
“We could fix them,” he said, “but it would only be temporary.”
I nodded and felt a surge of anger at Blake Calhoun for having done this to my home—for breaking the heart fire into pieces and wanting the power for himself.
“He will pay,” Axel said. I didn’t know if he read my thoughts or simply was in tune to my anger. “Blake won’t get away with this. But first we must find all the pieces. We must be strong if we’re going to face off against him and his men. I have the feeling the next time we meet, it won’t just be Blake we have to face.”
I swallowed a knot in the back of my throat. “There will be more; I think you’re right. We must prepare.”
“We’re here.” Axel pointed to our home. “What do you think?”
The roof was patched and the walls mended. It didn’t look as bad as I had feared. None of the shingles were dropping, and the paint still looked fresh.
I leaned against Axel’s chest. “I think it looks like my home, and I’m glad we’re here.”
Axel pulled me into a hug. He buried his nose in my hair and sighed. “I’m just glad I can share it with you.”
A screech filled the air, and I looked up to see Hugo the dragon racing across the sky. My dragon opened his mouth, and a line of fire shot out and up.
I laughed. “I think Hugo’s happy to see us.”
“I would say so,” Axel said, laughter filling his eyes. “It’s good to be back, boy,” he said to Hugo.
Hugo landed beside us and rubbed his neck against my shoulder. I patted him, my heart overflowing as I ran my hand down his scale-lined shoulder.
Mama, Hugo said in my mind.
“I’m here,” I answered. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Come on, boy.” Axel plucked a stick from the ground. “Let’s play fetch.”
I sat on the front porch steps and watched as Axel threw the stick and Hugo flew in the air, catching the branch in his mouth and then gently releasing it to the ground so Axel could throw it again.
As I watched, I realized this was my life. This was my home. No one was going to take it from me. I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer, asking for guidance in finding the next piece of the heart.
Axel laughed and threw, while Hugo fetched and returned. I only wanted one thing—for this moment to never end. But it would, and we would journey again to find the next piece of the heart. It would have to be soon because there was no telling what Blake Calhoun would have in store for us the next time we met.
THANK Y’ALL!
Thank you so much for reading THE GOLD TOUCH THAT WENT CATTYWAMPUS. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review.
Sign up for my newsletter and never miss a release. Click HERE.
Pepper and Axel’s adventures continue in THE YELLOW-BELLIED SCAREDY CAT.
The town of Magnolia Cove has lost its magic. It's up to Pepper Reign to reclaim it.
In this story, Pepper's search will take her to Witch's Forge, where she will team up with Charming Calhoun. Will Charming and Pepper be able to find the piece of heart, or will Blake Calhoun beat them to it? Click HERE to purchase.
While you’re waiting for Pepper and Axel’s next adventure—and boy, do they have some crazy stuff coming their way—consid
er picking up SPELLS AND SPIRITS, a cozy mystery sampler. It’s full of laughs and zany characters that you’re going to love! You can order it HERE.
And…I love to hear from you! Please feel free to drop me a line anytime. You can email me [email protected].
Also by Amy Boyles
SERIES READING ORDER
* * *
LOST SOUTHERN MAGIC
THE GOLD TOUCH THAT WENT CATTYWAMPUS
THE YELLOW-BELLIED SCAREDY CAT
A MESS OF SIRENS
KNEE-HIGH TO A THIEF
* * *
BELLES AND SPELLS MATCHMAKER MYSTERY
DEADLY SPELLS AND A SOUTHERN BELLE
CURSED BRIDES AND ALIBIS
MAGICAL DAMES AND DATING GAMES
SOME PIG AND A MUMMY DIG
* * *
SWEET TEA WITCH MYSTERIES
SOUTHERN MAGIC
SOUTHERN SPELLS
SOUTHERN MYTHS
SOUTHERN SORCERY
SOUTHERN CURSES
SOUTHERN KARMA
SOUTHERN MAGIC THANKSGIVING
SOUTHERN MAGIC CHRISTMAS
SOUTHERN POTIONS
SOUTHERN FORTUNES
SOUTHERN HAUNTINGS
SOUTHERN WANDS
SOUTHERN CONJURING
SOUTHERN WISHES
SOUTHERN DREAMS
SOUTHERN MAGIC WEDDING
* * *
SOUTHERN GHOST WRANGLER MYSTERIES
SOUL FOOD SPIRITS
HONEYSUCKLE HAUNTING
THE GHOST WHO ATE GRITS (Crossover with Pepper and Axel from Sweet Tea Witches)
BACKWOODS BANSHEE
* * *
BLESS YOUR WITCH SERIES
SCARED WITCHLESS
KISS MY WITCH
QUEEN WITCH
QUIT YOUR WITCHIN'
FOR WITCH'S SAKE
DON'T GIVE A WITCH
